Naruto: Shadows of the Lotus

Hayate's Thoughts

Hayate Kurotsuchi sat on a fallen log, sharpening his blade with slow, deliberate movements. The rhythmic scrape of steel against stone had always been a grounding habit, something to keep his hands busy while his mind wandered.

Tonight, however, his mind wasn't wandering.

It was set on a single thought—We should have stayed longer.

Ren was progressing too fast. No matter how much Hayate tried to stretch out the training, the boy kept adapting, kept pushing himself past limits that should have held him back. The fundamentals of taijutsu and chakra control— he had already reached a level well beyond his age. He was five.

Hayate exhaled through his nose, watching Ren, who was seated across from him, tending to the fire. The boy's movements were efficient, practiced, but there was something unnatural about the way he carried himself. Like he was never truly at ease.

He needs time, Hayate thought. Time to be a kid, to slow down.

But they had to move on.

Not because of Ren's progress, but because of what Hayate had heard in Tetsuo Village.

Something was happening on Naga Island. And Hayate had learned long ago to trust his instincts when things didn't feel right.

He sheathed his blade. "We leave at first light."

Ren looked up, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "That soon?"

"No reason to delay." Hayate stood, brushing dirt from his cloak. "You've outgrown this place."

Ren smirked. "I thought you wanted me to take things slow."

"I do," Hayate admitted. "But that doesn't mean we sit in one place forever." He glanced at the sky, where the moon hung high. "Go to sleep. It'll be a long trip."

Ren hesitated, clearly wanting to ask more, but he let it go. "Alright."

As Hayate lay back against the cool ground, arms crossed, he kept his ears sharp, listening beyond the sound of the crackling fire.

The morning was quiet as they packed up camp, the mist of Ouza Island clinging to the trees. Ren moved through the familiar routine easily, but his mind was elsewhere.

In just one month, he had changed more than he ever expected. His body had adapted to the brutal training, his chakra control had improved drastically, and his Clone Jutsu had become second nature. Even the hellish shuriken training had paid off—his throws were no longer wild, and he could hit moving targets with confidence.

But something was missing.

I need to start training with a blade.

Shinobi fought with all kinds of weapons—kunai, shuriken, wires, even explosive tags—but swords had always fascinated him. There was a level of control to swordsmanship that appealed to him. The precision, the discipline… it was something he lacked.

He glanced at his grandfather, who carried a katana strapped across his back, the blade hidden within an old but well-kept sheath.

Hayate rarely used it, but Ren had seen glimpses of his skill. The way he moved, how effortlessly his blade cut through the air—it was something beyond brute strength. It was art.

Ren didn't hesitate. "Grandpa."

Hayate didn't look up from tying his pack. "What?"

"I want to learn how to use a sword."

That got his attention. Hayate paused, then glanced at Ren, studying him for a moment before responding. "A sword isn't just another tool. It's an extension of yourself. Are you sure you're ready for that?"

Ren nodded. "If I can learn shurikenjutsu, I can learn kenjutsu."

Hayate let out a short breath. "Tch. You think shuriken and swords are the same thing? That's your first mistake."

Ren crossed his arms. "Then teach me."

For a moment, Hayate just looked at him, his expression unreadable. Then, after a long pause, he smirked. "Not yet."

Ren frowned. "Why not?"

Hayate finished securing his pack before speaking. "Because your shurikenjutsu still needs work. Your aim is getting better, but you're not where you should be. If you want to wield a sword properly, you need sharper instincts, better control, and more precision."

He met Ren's gaze, his expression serious. "Once you reach the level I expect in shurikenjutsu, we'll start kenjutsu training. Until then, focus."

Ren clenched his fists, resisting the urge to argue. He wanted to learn now, but he knew his grandfather well enough—when Hayate said "not yet," there was no changing his mind.

Fine. If mastering shuriken was the key, then he would master it.

Without another word, he grabbed his pack and followed Hayate toward the boat waiting at the shore. His training wasn't over yet. If anything, it had just begun.

As the boat cut through the waves, Naga Island loomed in the distance, smaller than Ouza but covered in dense, dark forest. Unlike the bright greenery of their previous camp, the trees here looked heavier, their branches curling toward the sky like skeletal fingers.

Ren watched the island approach, then glanced at his grandfather. "So… why are we going here?"

Hayate didn't answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the land ahead.

Ren frowned. "Grandpa."

Hayate let out a breath. "Something isn't right about this place."

Ren waited for more, but when Hayate didn't continue, he pressed further. "Not right how?"

Only then did Hayate glance at him, his expression unreadable. "A month ago, I heard rumors. Strange things happening in a village on this island."

Ren's brow furrowed. "What kind of things?"

Hayate turned back toward the island. "I'll tell you what I heard."

Flashback – The Tavern in Tetsuo Village

It had been a crowded night in Tetsuo Village. The tavern smelled of old sake and damp wood, the air thick with quiet conversations.

Hayate sat at a corner table, silent, listening.

"You hear about Naga Island?" a man muttered over his drink.

The sailor across from him frowned. "What about it?"

"The village there—it's… emptying itself."

The sailor scoffed. "Pirates?"

"No. No attacks, no blood. People just… leave. They walk out of their homes and don't come back."

Hayate remained still, taking a slow sip of his drink.

Back to the Present – Arrival at Naga Island

The boat touched the shore, and Hayate stepped off first, scanning the treeline. Nothing moved. No birds, no rustling leaves. Just stillness.

Ren followed, frowning as he felt an uncomfortable pressure in his chest. The air was… thick.

Hayate glanced at him. "Stay sharp, Ren."

Ren nodded, suddenly more alert.